<p>The math was okay. I didn’t have enough time to answer a few of the questions though. The reading comprehension was so weird. I had trouble with some of the analogies. </p>
<p>…I messed it up pretty badly – and since I can’t retake it, I don’t know what to do.</p>
<p>Should I take the ISEE since I can’t take the SSAT in January?</p>
<p>For people who don’t believe my assertion regarding the scaling of individual tests, or who have not clicked on the thread I linked to above, here is what the SSAT organization had to say on the matter when I inquired last year:</p>
<p>"When creating many editions of a test, it is impossible to make them exactly the same level of difficulty. Though the differences are very small, there will always be ‘easier’ and ‘harder’ forms.</p>
<p>Therefore, SSAT statistically determines the ‘level of difficulty’ of each new test section through pretesting. Pretest takers write both a baseline form and a new test form. The sections are scored and the resulting data allows SSAT to create a difficulty factor. This factor indicates how much easier or harder the new test form is in comparison to the baseline form. This factor, which compensates for the very small differences in difficulty, is applied to a student’s raw score just before it is converted to an SSAT Scaled Score.</p>
<p>If a form is easier than the baseline form, the raw score will be slightly decreased. Likewise, if a form is harder than the baseline form, the raw score will be slightly increased. At the SSAT possible score range extremes (low and high) this anomaly is apparent, however, it can not be removed as long as the ‘level of difficulty’ of each form is taken into consideration. It is simply a limitation of the scoring process."</p>
<p>@inchoatehere: My advice, widen your net THIS year. The number of slots available gets smaller and smaller as you go up in grades/forms/years. If you want an idea of how competitive admission is for the most selective schools, my daughter had an 2350+ SSAT (and a >2000 SAT as a 7th grader) and equally strong grades, yet she was flat out rejected by Choate when applying for a 9th grade slot last year. </p>
<p>It’s harder than most people think to get into the most selective schools…especially if need FA or are not an under-represented minority (URM).</p>
<p>Great thoughts/responses everyone. Some questions for the gallery:</p>
<p>What constitutes URM? Daughter is mixed-race Asian/Caucasian and grew up outside the US attending non-English speaking schools until this last year. I’m hoping that will do for a hook, but URM?</p>
<p>Looks like we are fairly on top of our one application to a ‘top 10 school.’ Thoughts on feasibility of quickly expanding that to 3-5?</p>
<p>Best schools for a girl with thoughts of being a writer, studying Latin, and learning a new instrument? Given the time crunch and distance, we won’t have opportunity to go on visits.</p>
<p>Feeling good here about prospects for the SSAT, but down about prospects for an acceptance letter.</p>
<p>Thanks all …</p>
<p>@SevenDad I probably should widen my night as well, I’m only applying to three of the HADES and honestly I’m doubtful I’ll make it. My mom, however, thinks its “go big or go home” because she only wants me to go to the best of the best; although I keep telling her second tier schools are still good.</p>
<p>@aubreygal: One of the recurring themes of this board is exactly what does “best school” mean? Some people go for “best reputation/most famous”, some go for “highest percentage/number of Ivy League matriculations”, “some go for best facilities/campus”, and yet others go for “best fit for applicant”.</p>
<p>That’s not to say that one of the most selective schools isn’t the best fit for you (or any other applicant)…or that you shouldn’t apply to the most selective schools. But you have to realize that if you apply exclusively to those types of schools, you will be up against many kids who have 99% scores, amazing grades, strong ECs, etc.</p>
<p>BTW, I’m not a huge fan of making the “first tier, second tier” distinction. After all, how would people feel if others referred to them as a “second tier applicant”?</p>
<p>There was only one other person besides me taking the SSAT at my test site. More people (four) took the ISEE that day… wonder why, since all the schools I’ve seen say they prefer the SSAT.</p>
<p>How many times have you all taken the ssat? or how many times will you?</p>
<p>sweet good to know. i sat the ssat in april and got a 95 but the verbal section on this one freaked me out:| but good to know i’m not alone:) does anyone know around when the results get emailed? thanks!</p>
<p>@SevenDad: What do you think was the reason for Choate to reject your D ? With scores she had, I would say every school should like to have her. Only reason for rejection we were told could be if we can’t afford it even with the awarded financial aid. Our AO told us it wouldn’t be “fair” to tell us “yes we’ll accept her but you have to find money you don’t have on some other side”. Sorry to be personal but does she have any ECs (instrument, sport, languages, etc.) ? My D expects to be around 93% overall, plays sport with national ranking and has additional art performance exposure. Without telling us what would be the reason for rejection, kids become frustrated if not accepted.</p>
<p>@masouthshore: Check out my thread in the Parents sub-forum if you want to see her stats & ECs. I am also going to send you a PM soon.</p>
<p>I only cite my daughter’s stats to give applicants/parents an idea of what can happen. When I see kids who are ONLY intending to apply to the most selective schools, or who don’t have full parental buy-in, or who struggle with the SSAT, I can only shake my head. I know I’m her father, but my daughter brought serious game to the app process last year. ;-P</p>
<p>hi im applying to exeter 9th grade year and i was wondering if my ethnicities ( German 50%, Lebanese 25%, and Italian 25%) would be beneficial to my chances of getting accepted. Applying for financial aid. Gets high B to Average A. ( Although at my school which may differ from others has A’s starting at 93% and B’s at 85%). I write fantastic essays( in the process of completion). Dont know ssat yet but will update my reply when i find out. The interviewer said i had done a very good job. Also, honors every quarter last year and Cum Laude 1st and only quarter this year so far and every quarter in 6th grade. My teachers said that their reccs were going to be excellent. Lastly, my extra-curriculars are Piano 7-8 years, cheerleading 2 years, Student Government 2 years, Track 4 years, and Ballet 1 year. When the AO came to my school they said they were looking for students from the midwest which includes me soo Plz respond !!!</p>
<p>What is the latest date I can take the SSAT and have schools accept my scores? I have taken the November and December one, but I was wondering if I took it one last time in January if they would accept the scores even though they would receive them slightly past the deadline.</p>
<p>last year i was applying to groton and i flunked the december one and they were ok with me giving my score in after the 15th (22nd)</p>
<p>Okay, did you have to email them?</p>
<p>yh i emailed the head of admission and he said its fine but thanks for notifying us ( could groton know who I am from this post?)</p>
<p>Possibly, but I am sure a lot of people send in emails. Especially to a top school.</p>
<p>I really don’t think that admission officers lurk on CC. I mean, I’m all for the protect-your-identity-online thing, but the whole AO conspiracy theory seems very unlikely to me.</p>
<p>Hi All, I’m new here and have a question on whether I should have my daughteer re-take the test. She an A student but did poorly on the Dec’ test, and received a total score of 1890. What are the chances of this score increasing, the next test date is 1/7? She’s really upset and wants another shot at it</p>
<p>What was her percentile? Because getting an 1890 as an 11th grader is a lot different than getting an 1890 as an 8th grader.</p>
<p>I just got my scores, I got a 92%!!!</p>